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Washpun in limbo; is Tennessee possible?

Cedar Rapids Washington senior Wes Washpun said Monday afternoon he's expecting a phone call from new Tennessee Coach Cuonzo Martin, but he doesn't know how the conversation will go.

Martin has left Missouri State after three seasons to succeed Bruce Pearl at Tennessee, which leaves Washpun in limbo. Martin offered Washpun a scholarship to play basketball at Missouri State next season, but Washpun doesn't know if Martin will offer him a scholarship to join him at Tennessee.

He also doesn't know if the new coach at Missouri State will honor the offer. And beside that, he's not sure if he would have accepted the offer to join Martin at Missouri State or not.

Martin offered Washpun a scholarship in February. The spring signing date is April 13, so at this point Washpun has not signed a national letter-of-intent with anyone.

"I'm open to anything right now," he said. "I'm just waiting to see what Coach Martin is going to do. If he offers me at Tennessee, then great. But if he doesn't and the Missouri State offer holds, then that's good too."

Washpun, a 6-foot-1 point guard, averaged 18 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.1 blocked shots this season for Coach Brad Metzger and helped Washington reach the Class 4A state tournament.

Martin, 39, reportedly made $300,000 at Missouri State this past season. The terms of his new contract at Tennessee were not available Monday afternoon, but Pearl reportedly made $1.9 million with the Vols during the 2009-10 campaign.

Washpun said he's not disappointed Martin has left Missouri State.

"I think it was a good decision for him. He's a great coach and a great guy," said Washpun. "I think he'll have success wherever he's coaching.

"I'm not disappointed at all. It's a career decision on his part. He's been there (at Missouri State) and he's done a good job, and he got offered a pretty good deal. I'm not that disappointed at all."

Missouri State finished 26-9 this season and made the NIT.

Washpun visited Missouri State earlier this month, but did not make a commitment. "I've been kind of waiting and seeing how things are shaking down these last couple of weeks," he said. "Missouri State was definitely a consideration."

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery also has Washpun on his list, but Washpun said no offers have been made by the Hawkeyes.

"As far as I know, they've still been calling and talking to Coach Metzger, and I've gotten a call from some of the coaches," he said. "As far as I know they're still in the picture. They haven't really offered or anything like that."

Washpun said he's spoken with Missouri State assistant coach Kent Williams since Martin was hired at Tennessee. "He said Coach Martin will be giving me a call. I just don't know exactly when," said Washpun.

Washpun said he's not sure if he'd accept an offer from Tennessee, but definitely would consider it. "I'd have to talk it over with my parents," he said. "I might line up a visit to go down there and stuff like that."

Williams apparently will not succeed Martin at Missouri State. "Coach Williams said he's going with Coach Martin to Tennessee," said Washpun.

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 March 2011 16:46 )  

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